Studying Surface Protein Expression
using Flow Cytometry

Using flow cytometry an investigator can study cell
surface proteins using an antibody against the protein of interest attached
to a fluorescent molecule. Our flow cytometer can measure up to six
colors at a time, allowing for the investigator to distinguish between
different cell types in a population using the different colors for
different markers. Here are the results from a lymphocyte subset:

From this experiment you can see the percentages of
T helper, T cytotoxic/suppresor, B cells, and NK cells in a lymphocyte
population. Using flow cytometry an investigator can study any cell
type with a certain protein located on its surface. Apoptosis, clinical,
and stem cells are just a few of the many types of studies that can
be done using surface proteins with flow cytometry.